17 Borderline Genius Money Tips You'll Wish You'd Known Sooner

Your current bank might be offering you a veeeeery low return on your savings. While the average interest rate is 0.05% for savings accounts, many offer even less — which means you're earning literal pennies as a "thank you" for keeping your hard-earned money in that account. But you can do better!

Some banks offer high-yield savings accounts, which can earn you more than the national average interest rate. Keep in mind that these rates can absolutely change as the interest rates set by the Federal Reserve change.

Another pro tip: Online banks usually offer higher interest rate than brick-and-mortar banks. This is because they typically have fewer overhead expenses, so they're able to offer more. Ally Bank and Marcus by Goldman Sachs currently offer 0.5% (that's 10 times the average, BTW) on their online savings accounts.

This helpful little trick known as ~reward stacking~ can help you maximize your savings, which means you can eventually have more room in your budget for other expenses! Stacking rewards could mean using a cash-back credit card responsibly to earn a little money back, using your store's rewards program to earn points toward major discounts, AND using a cash-back app like Ibotta to build a juicy balance that can boost your savings over time. You're basically ensuring that you get reward on top of reward on top of reward!

It might take some consistent, dedicated use over time before you reaaally build enough rewards to save you a big chunk of cash, but it can be totally worth it in the long run! If you're new to stacking rewards and this sounds a little overwhelming, start by stacking just two rewards incentives and work your way up to even more.

Yes, it is possible to negotiate your college tuition! In fact, some colleges offer full tuition waivers available to students with hardship/low-income status, Native status, adopted/fostered students, students with disabilities, and students working in the public sector. Be sure to ask your financial aid office if they offer such waivers! If you don't qualify for any full tuition waivers, you can negotiate for more financial aid. But you'll never know if you don't start by asking!

Under the CARES Act, employers can contribute up to $5,250 per year toward an employee's student loan debt balance. This provision was originally slated to expire on Dec. 31, 2020, but it has been extended through Dec. 31, 2025 (so you still have about four years to get in on this!!). And, you can participate regardless of whether you have federal or private student loans — and you won't be taxed on the money. But why would an employer want to help you pay off your debt? Because they'll get a tax break for their generosity.

Start by reaching out to your HR department to open up the conversation. Education Loan Finance provides an email template that you can use when reaching out (just scroll past the Employer Contribution Calculator).

It's safe to say that each streaming service has its own unique array of appealing offerings that you can't get anywhere else. So if you want to get in on all the shows, you pretty much have no choice but to pay for them all — which might not make your wallet too happy. But if you're someone who watches a lot of TV, you might want to consider signing up for bundle offers. This way, you get at least two streaming services for less than it would cost for you to pay for them separately.

Here are some current bundles that might suit your fancy:

• Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ ($12.99/month)

• Hulu and HBO ($21/month; add on HBO through your Hulu account)

• Spotify Premium, Hulu, and Showtime ($4.99/month with the 'student' plan)

Keeping your credit card or other payment info in autofill just makes it waaaay too easy for you to make spur-of-the-moment purchases. But when you have to actually get up and fish your credit card out of your cluttered handbag or go into another room to get it, you might think twice about whether or not the item is really worth getting up for.

And if you can, try to sit on a purchase for at least a few days before you pull the trigger on ordering. This'll give you some extra time to figure out if you actually need it or if you just like the idea of having it.

Few things are sweeter than the glorious sound of a sale. But even when you're getting 30% off cute shoes, a great jacket, or a new appliance for your kitchen, you're still spending unnecessarily if you didn't intend to buy it in the first place. It can be veeeery tempting to snatch it up, but if you've never really considered it for your lifestyle then you might wanna reevaluate the item before you purchase it.

How many times have you signed up for a gym membership, attended diligently for the first two months, and then went in sparingly or not at all after that? Been there, done that! Sometimes, people fail to cancel their membership even long after they've stopped using it, and that means burning through money you don't need to spend every month. Some membership prices are affordable enough that many people don't miss that $15 each month. And, gyms often make it *such* a process to cancel the membership.

But as the last year has certainly proved, there are plenty of free options — like exercising alongside YouTube videos or coming up with your own at-home training circuits — that you can consider before signing up for a local gym or online service. Over time, even investing in fitness equipment for your home can sometimes work out to be more affordable than a long-term gym membership.

Of course, there may be instances where being at the gym is more effective for you — like if you don't have space in your home for the machines you need, or if you need the gym environment in order to stay motivated. Just be sure you weigh your needs and exhaust all other options before you decide to sign up for your next membership.

If you work for an employer, you might have access to some company discount programs that can give you some good deals. This can make a huge difference in your life financially if, for example, your company offers a higher education tuition reimbursement or a totally free gym membership. If you aren't sure where to look, reach out to your company's HR department or benefits team.

If you have health insurance, you might also be able to get discounts on gym memberships, meditation apps, and more. Some providers even offer gift cards and incentives for meeting daily step goals. Look at your policy and make sure you're not missing an opportunity to save.

And of course, if you're a student, you can get discounts on all kinds of things with your student ID card. Even if a business doesn't advertise student discounts, it never hurts to ask!